Changes in the Frequency of Actions Associated With Mental Health During Online Treatment: Analysis of Demographic and Clinical Factors

Abstract

Background Specific daily actions (eg, goal setting, meaningful activities) are associated with mental health. Performing specific daily actions at a higher frequency is associated with significantly lower baseline symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as better psychological treatment outcomes for depression and anxiety. Objective This study explored how the frequency of specific daily actions associated with mental health may differ prior to, during, and following treatment according to demographic and clinical characteristics. Methods Using a sample of 448 patients from an Australian national digital psychology service, we examined baseline differences in daily action frequency and changes in daily action frequency during a digital psychological treatment according to demographic and clinical subgroups. A total of 5 specific types of daily actions were measured using the Things You Do Questionnaire: healthy thinking, meaningful activities, goals and plans, healthy habits, and social connections. Results The frequency of daily actions differed according to employment status (largest P=.005) and educational level (largest P=.004). Daily action frequency was lower in those participants with more severe or chronic depression or anxiety symptoms (largest P=.004). Participants reported larger increases in how often they did these daily actions from baseline to midtreatment compared to mid- to posttreatment. Depression duration (P=.01) and severity (P<.001) were associated with differences in how daily action frequency changed during treatment. Conclusions The findings of this study support continued research exploring the relationship between daily actions and mental health, how this relationship might differ between individuals, and the clinical potential of supporting individuals to increase the frequency of daily actions to improve mental health.